Yesterday was an incredible break from my daily routine.  My partner took the afternoon off from work and surprised me with a romantic afternoon at an apple orchard near our house.  It was such beautiful weather at a gorgeous venue.  It was a very intimate afternoon, we were one of three families at the orchard.  You wouldn’t think going to an orchard would be that fun but it was a blast acting like children picking apples in a fairy tale garden.


Surprisingly, there are a lot of things to do at an orchard.  We picked apples and got to try all the yummy homemade snacks the family who owned the orchard was selling.  We had our fair share of apple pie, apple fritters, and applesauce.  The fresh sweets were even better knowing they were all homemade and the fruit was picked right from their backyard. 





But the highlight of the afternoon was when my partner pulled our picnic basket out of the trunk of our car.  It was very romantic getting lost in the beautiful apple trees, laying a blanket down, having a few snacks, and enjoying each other’s company.  I don’t give him enough credit for the little romantic things he does for me.




We picked enough apples to bring home and make our very own apple pie.  We spent the evening in the kitchen cooking dinner and baking our own apple pie.  I am so lucky to have found a man like him.  We have to best conversations about our views and what is going on within our spirituality.  He truly understands my views and beliefs and loves me for them.



Yesterday afternoon was a great way to spend time with my partner, have a good conversation, get outside and be active.  I would highly recommend a little afternoon getaway to the orchard, it is more romantic than you thing.



Namaste.

Being a spiritual person has made me who I am today.  Looking back at old pictures reminiscing and reliving my childhood make me so happy I was raised the way I was.  Growing up my parents were very religious.  I went to services with them until I was about 13 then they let me make the decision if I wanted to go or what spirituality I wanted believe.  I continued to go with my parents until I got to high school, then I only went with them on holidays.  When I went to college and found yoga, I quickly adopted a holistic approach to spirituality.  I was so grateful my parents let me choose what I wanted to believe in from my own experiences.  …on a side note, after I saw the movie, Life of Pi, I felt such a connection to Pi while he was experiencing different religions and forms of spirituality.  It was truly an incredible film. Check out the clip here.

I often pose the question to myself, what is a human life without the attention to the aspects of life beyond our physical, emotional, and mental concerns?  Through the ways of the world and my love for humanity I defined my own meaning of spirituality.  Although I have no tangible believes system, I have my ideas and a unique belief’s that work for me.   When I began practicing yoga, it awoke my spirit even more that I would have imagined.  Being able to be one with my mind, body, and spirit and open my heart is such a way, made me realize how much more the world has to offer.  I embrace all the natural world and work to contribute my part to it. 

I focus on the natural abilities of the human anatomy and how I can maintain my spirituality as one with my physical body.  I do what I believe is good for my body; what is healthy and what I feel is emotionally right.  Devoting time each day to reflect on who I am, how I can service society and help take care of the world is very important to my spirituality. 



I believe in positive energy and negative energy.  Each human being has their own energy they contribute to the world.  I believe that through actions you can make your energy stronger or even change your type of energy.  Going along with changing energies, I believe in karma.  The sum of a person’s actions decides the fate of their future.  I believe that karma is not a punishment for actions, but a result in those action.

As a spiritual person, I focus on enjoying every day, embracing who I am, and appreciating the world around me.  To maintain my spiritual health I spend time meditating, doing yoga, reflecting on each day, and spending time trying to make the world a better place.




Although others may not understand my spirituality, I know how I view it and help make the world a better place because of it.

Namaste.

No matter what; someone, somewhere has a harsh opinion and feels it necessary to share it.  This morning after my yoga class, I went to a café to get a cup of tea and reflect on the day to come.  There was a man very angry because the barista did not get his order right.  He was acting outrageous and spreading his negative energy to everyone in the café.  It was visible, the people sitting around him were getting physically upset.  Times like these, I am very happy I have a strong mind that can ward off negative energy.
Ever find yourself getting caught up in all the negative energy society gives off?  Sometimes it’s hard not to get consumed with the problems of family, friends, and those around.  It is important for me to find peace in the moment and let the negativity pass.  Society has such a strong hold on the minds of its citizens, it’s crucial to have a resilient mind and avoid all the criticism and negativity. Society should try to take time each day to release the destructive energy built up and allow the positive energy to flow in. 
When I come across such negativity and criticism, I try to look at it as a gift.  Whether the criticism is towards me or someone else, if it is a valid suggestion to improve, or a cruel jab, it reiterates how strong my positive energy is.  The human mind is the most powerful tool that can be used to increase positive energy in stressful situations.


Forgive and forget.  It sounds easier said than done.  Learning how to forgive those who hurt me and move on, made me live a happier life without grudges or hatred.  By forgiving and forgetting, both parties are able to move on and regain the positivity.  I have found that living without anger and hatred is living a happy life. 
When talking about forgiving and forgetting it is hard for me not to think about a story that made national headlines a couple years ago.  A father publicly forgave a drunk driver that hit the vehicle he was driving and killed his wife and two children.  That is a perfect example of forgiveness to create some sort of positive energy out of a situation so tragic and negative.  Read the story here.
I believe one of the most important components for living a positive and spiritual life are to forgive, forget, and continue being positive by living in the moment.  
I think everyone should spread positive energy everywhere by offering thanks for a healthy life, gratitude for the people around, and appreciation for the how fortunate they are.  Positive energy creates positive actions.



Namaste

It has been nearly 6 months since my birthday and I am so thankful for all the great energy this year has begun to bring me.  Last weekend I was cleaning through our closet and saw my partner’s gift from my birthday that I had totally forgotten about.  He knows how much I like DIY projects, so he got me a soy candle making kit.  It was such a thoughtful gift I can’t believe I forgot about it.  I love being about to make as much as I can from scratch and spend time with good company. 

This week my partner and I finally got to make our soy candles.  I have made soy candles before but these were a little different but smelt so delicious.  Our candles turned out so great, I had to share how we made them with you.  I highly suggest making your own soy candles, they are magnificent.

This recipe makes about 2 small/medium candles depending on the size of jar you use.

Supplies you will need:

•    8 oz. soy wax flakes
•    Scent drops (whatever scent you want to make)
•    Candle wicks
•    2-3 popsicle sticks
•    2 small/medium jars
•    Candy thermometer
•    Heat-proof measuring cup
•    Hot glue gun
•    Small sauce pan

Directions:
Step 1- Prepare your jars by gluing one end of the wick to the bottom of the jar and wrap the other end around a popsicle stick and secure on the top of the jar.

Step 2- Bring about 3 inches of water to boil in a small sauce pan.  Put the soy flakes into a heat-proof measuring cup and put it into the sauce pan.  Leave the wax be as it melts.

Step 3- Once it is melted use the candy thermometer to make sure the wax is around 185 degrees F. Remove the measuring cup from the saucepan and heat.  Add a few sent drops to the wax (to your personal preference of scent) and stir with a spoon for about 2 minutes.

Step 4- Use the candy thermometer again, let the wax cool to about 135 degrees F. When the wax is cooled, carefully pour it into your jars.

Step 5- Let your candles cool down and solidify.  They turn fairly opaque and solid after about an hour.  Do not remove the popsicle stick with the wick until the soy is COMPLETELY solid.

Step 6- When the soy is completely solid, remove the popsicle stick and trim the wick to your desired length.

I read that you are supposed to let them harden completely for two weeks before lighting them.  But they smell great and are great decoration until you light them.







Hope you enjoy making DIY soy candles as much as I did.  I love quick DIY projects, if you have any favorites please share the directions!

Namaste.

As per my sister, Amanda’s request, I am going to share some tips on beginning yoga.  She has never taken a class before and wants to begin practicing after seeing how much yoga has affected my life.  Just get over the nerves about going to the first class and you’re in the clear.
When I went to my first yoga class, I had no idea what to expect.  I was nervous and didn't want anyone to watch me.  After that class, I had no desire to go back, I wasn't that good at it and I felt like everyone was watching me.  But when I stepped out of the studio and looked at the world around me, I felt something so extraordinary and unexplainable.  Since that first class I have never looked back, and made yoga and the way it made me feel an essential part of my life.


Here are some points I had to tell myself when I first began and what I recommend to my sister Amanda:
1. Remember there is no such thing as being “good at yoga”- Yoga is not something to be “good” at, it is a practice that helps to more deeply explore ourselves while learning to quite the mind.  There is so much pressure in today’s society to be perfect and get it right, but while participating in a yoga class each person has to keep the eyes closed and become the only one in the room.
2. Don’t think, just practice- When I first started yoga, just talking about going, usually made me make excuses to actually not go.  Just don’t think about going, get there, and forget everything else.  Actually showing up is the hardest part.
3. NO ONE IS JUDGING YOU- Being nervous the first couple classes are a given.  Know that in yoga, everyone is focusing on themselves and not concerned what everyone else is doing.  Just breathe, and let the mat be a personal sanctuary.
4. Listen to your body- Yoga can be challenging at first if you have never done anything like it.  Just ease in!  The way you treat your body during a practice, is a representation about how you take care of your body otherwise. When muscles are not as flexible, take time and focus on giving them what they need and let each breath get you closer to the goal.  Just listen to your body, you know what you can and cannot do.
5. Practice non-judgment, patience, and presence- Make the decision to go into every practice with an open mind and open heart.  Don’t judge yourself or decide that it is not happening or working.  Instead, welcome yoga and let each pose and breathe transport you to somewhere new.  Understanding the body’s limits works towards strengthening it from the inside, out.
And if you are still nervous about going to a yoga class, like I know my sister is?  Try doing a video at home.  There are hundreds and probably even thousands of beginner yoga classes online.  Try one at home, but it is even more important to listen to your body when at home.  If yoga is something new, there is a higher risk of getting hurting because poses might not be practiced correctly.  Take it slow and build up confidence to participate in a yoga class.
Here is a YouTube channel that is really good at easing into yoga for beginners. Click here  I would love be able to instruct everyone, especially my sister, but distance doesn't allow.



Beginning a yoga class may seem daunting, but I promise, just open your heart and allow a complete change in your mind, body, and spirit.  I know you will do amazing Amanda and everyone else how tries yoga for the first time. Good luck!

Namaste.